Saturday, February 12, 2011

First-time gardeners are encouraged to start small, perhaps with a "kitchen garden" that will offer fresh herbs and a small quantity of fruits and vegetables for use in summer meals.

“Setting aside a small plot near the kitchen or back door or choosing to arrange containers or hanging baskets near a porch or patio may be all that it takes for a beginning gardener to become a more confident gardener,” says Evelyn Neier, a Kansas State University Research and Extension horticulturist.

“Lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and herbs such as parsley, basil or rosemary are easy to grow and make flavorful additions to summer menus.”

Thursday, February 10, 2011

"A serving of Old Fashioned Bread Pudding is a delicious way to add whole grain breads to your meals! Buttering each slice of bread and sprinkling it with cinnamon before cutting it into cubes makes every bite especially tasty!"
-- Alice Henneman, UNL Extension in Lancaster County

Monday, February 7, 2011

Felting wool is an ancient skill, practiced by such legendary figures as Attila the Hun and Genhis Kahn, both known as "maker of felted tents."

Felt is simply matted wool. Wool becomes felt when it is subjected to moisture, heat, and agitation. Hot soapy water makes the wool slippery, and causes tiny scales on the fiber to "open up". With agitation, these fibers get intertwined and, when cooled and dried, the scales close and lock the wool into the tough, durable material we call felt.

A traditional Mardi Gras treat, King Cakes are usually decorated with purple, gold and green (Mardi Gras colors) icing or sprinkles. They are baked with a small trinket inside and the person who receives the prize must host a Mardi Gras party or provide the next King Cake.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Today is Groundhog Day.A popular tradition in the United States, this special day is based on the legend of Candlemas Day, which states:

"For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May..."

On Groundhog Day a groundhog comes out of his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow. If he sees it, he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole. If the day is cloudy and, hence, shadowless, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground.